Hampshire Youth Connect

Hampshire Youth Connect Housed in the Critical Studies of Childhood, Youth, and Learning (CYL). A Program of Hampshire College. Founding Goals: • To provide on-campus programming for underserved youth • To excite young people about learning in college • To familiarize young people with the college admissions process • To offer paid Hampshire College student internships with community based organizations What We Do: • Sponsor connections between Hampshire College students and underserved youth • Design community courses and programs for underserved youth in the area • Fund Division II and III that support our mission and goals • Design summer programs and offering paid internships to Hampshire students

The Gentle Mamma
12/08/2020

The Gentle Mamma

#repost the_psychologists_child 💕

I’m passionate about open-ended-play. Play without preset limitations, where anything can be used in any way the child dreams up.

One of my main motivations for investing in open ended toys was that, open-ended toys mean we have fewer toys at home. If my son wants to play with an ark, we build it. If he wants to add an element we don’t have, we pretend one thing is something else.

But you don’t actually need to *buy* open-ended toys if you don’t own them. There are loads of things you already have at home that you can use.

Other ideas? Playdough, water, string, recyclable waste, cooking utensils, stones, pine cones, acorns, leaves.

🎁 Open ended play is limited only by imagination. The possibilities are endless.

🎁 It develops creative problem solving.

“hmmm we don’t have a fire station... what could we use to make one?”

🎁 It allows the child to take the lead in play because there are no guidelines or instructions about what a toy is or how it *should* be played with.

🎁 Promotes curiosity and flexibility. Little ones can try out their ideas without worrying about getting it wrong or making a mistake.

🎁 Play can last longer with less boredom.

I would love to hear what you would add to this list, or what open-ended play your little one has enjoyed recently?

💕 Kimberley

Youth Restoration Project
12/07/2020

Youth Restoration Project

Family Support Circle Virtual Holiday Series

Join us for 4 fun-filled online holiday events geared toward families of children with disabilities and mental health challenges.

Email [email protected] to register. Hurry- space is limited!

December 9th 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Intro to Family Support Circle

December 17th 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Pajama Holiday Story Time

December 23rd 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Holiday Gifts & Bingo

December 30th 6:30 - 7:30 PM
New Years Feelings & Pizza Game

In partnership with the Parents Support Network and the Sargent Center.

#restorativepresents #mentalhealth #bhddhri #disability #RestorativeJustice #family #restorativepractices #autism #specialeducation #specialneedsmom

A Mighty Girl
12/07/2020

A Mighty Girl

Patsy Mink -- the first woman of color elected to the U.S. Congress and the co-author of the landmark women's educational equity Title IX Amendment -- was born on this day in 1927. A third generation Japanese American from Hawaii, Mink became engaged in political activism from a young age, in part motivated by witnessing the discrimination her father faced as the only Japanese American civil engineer working on Maui during the World War II period. In one of her early acts of political activism, when she moved to the mainland to attend the University of Nebraska, Mink organized a coalition of students, community members, and businesses to successfully bring an end to the university's long-standing policy of racially segregating student housing.

After graduating, she applied to twenty medical schools but was denied admission to all because none would accept women. Mink decided that the judicial process would be the best way to compel the schools to accept female students and shifted her focus to law. She obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1951. After returning to Hawaii, Mink was elected to the Hawaii Territorial Legislature and, after Hawaii became a state in 1959, she served in the Hawaii State Senate.

In 1965, Mink became the first woman of color elected to the U.S. Congress where she served from 1965-1977 and again from 1990 until her death in 2002. During her tenure in Congress, Mink gained a reputation as a vocal advocate for women's rights and civil rights, and was a leading opponent to the war in Vietnam. Although her outspokenness engendered criticism at times, Mink believed in standing by her ideals, famously stating: "It is easy enough to vote right and be consistently with the majority. But it is more often more important to be ahead of the majority and this means being willing to cut the first furrow in the ground and stand alone for a while if necessary."

One of her greatest legacies is the Title IX Amendment of the Higher Education Act, the breakthrough 1972 U.S. civil rights law which prohibits gender discrimination in any educational program or activity. Mink was one of the bill's principal authors and the driving force behind its passage; it was later renamed Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act in her honor. Filmmaker Kimberlee Bassford, who made the documentary "Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority," describes Mink's influence as follows: "Mink's story captures the spirit of a generation of trailblazing women and shows that one person — armed with vision, drive, and perseverance — can make a difference. I never doubted that I would have the opportunity to go to college — even graduate school — and to play sports. Women of my generation take for granted the very things that Patsy Mink fought for."

Mink, who also became first Asian American to seek the presidential nomination during the 1972 election, passed away in 2002. Her death occurred one week after the 2002 primary election, too late for her name to be removed from the general election ballot. As a result, Mink was posthumously re-elected to Congress on November 5, 2002.

Patsy Mink is one of the trailblazing women in U.S. politics featured in the excellent book, "Leading the Way: Women In Power" for ages 9 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/leading-the-way

For a wonderful book for teaching tweens and teens about the history of Title IX and its impact on girls' lives, we highly recommend "Let Me Play: The Story of Title IX: The Law That Changed the Future of Girls in America" for ages 11 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/let-me-play

There is also a fantastic picture book about trailblazing women in sports - that includes an introduction to Title IX - for ages 6 to 9 at https://www.amightygirl.com/girls-with-guts

For more books for children and teens that celebrate women's contributions to politics today and in the past, check out our blog post, “Remember the Ladies: 25 Children's Books on Women in Politics” at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=11162

And, for more stories of female trailblazers in all fields including science, the arts, and athletics, visit A Mighty Girl's "Role Models" section at https://www.amightygirl.com/books/history-biography/biography

Dial/Self Americorps Program
12/06/2020
Dial/Self Americorps Program

Dial/Self Americorps Program

Are you passionate about youth empowerment, education, the arts, and social justice? Join the DIAL/SELF AmeriCorps Team! Even in the midst of a pandemic, DIAL/SELF AmeriCorps members are engaging and supporting the youth of Western Massachusetts.

Our online application is LIVE at dialself.org/americorps.html - APPLY NOW! Initial application deadline is FEBRUARY 15TH!

We're now accepting applications for the newest team of DIAL/SELF AmeriCorps members - if you want to spend ten months learning, growing, challenging yourself, building skills, and supporting youth in Western MA, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

Find our application and more information online at dialself.org/americorps.html - we hope to hear from you soon!

Zinn Education Project
12/06/2020
Zinn Education Project

Zinn Education Project

#tdih On Dec. 6, 1865, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, officially ending (with exceptions) the institution of slavery, was ratified. This was the first of the three Reconstruction Amendments adopted between 1865 and 1870.

The ownership and sale of human beings had been central to the U.S. economy since the colonial era in Jamestown. When freedom came, African Americans drew upon their experiences to shape a plan for their future in Reconstruction. What would be done to compensate the people of African descent for 250 years of stolen labor? To reunite families? To provide an education that had been denied by force? To provide land?

The Zinn Education Project offers the robust Teach Reconstruction Campaign to help students answer these questions. See also the 'Teaching a People’s History of Abolition and the Civil War' to discover the real abolition story, one about some of the most significant grassroots social movements in U.S. history. Click the link to learn more. #TeachOutsideTextbook

Wish you had learned this history in school? Please donate so that this generation of students does: https://www.zinnedproject.org/donate/

CBC Indigenous
12/05/2020
CBC Indigenous

CBC Indigenous

This young Manitoba history buff wants Canadians to know the story of her people and culture.

Sincecombahee
12/05/2020
Sincecombahee

Sincecombahee

Supporting Students With Learning Disabilities During School Closures: Experts from the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence offer recommendations for supporting students with learning disabilities through the coronavirus pandemic.

Antiracist Education Now
12/05/2020

Antiracist Education Now

Following up with #grit after #growthmindset.

Posted @withregram • @sylviaduckworth I remember being enamoured with the idea of “grit” in education a few years ago. Now I know better. Thank you, Bettina Love @blovesoulpower for your illuminating book that all educators should read, “We Want To Do More Than Survive”.

A Mighty Girl
12/04/2020

A Mighty Girl

"Science is not a boy's game, it's not a girl's game. It's everyone's game. It's about where we are and where we're going." -- Nichelle Nichols

Nichelle Nichols -- famous for her role as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura on Star Trek -- says that in 1969, when the original Star Trek series ended, “There were no women, and there were no minorities in the space program -- and that's supposed to represent the whole country? Not in this day and age. We just absolutely cannot have that.” So she accepted NASA’s invitation to help recruit the country’s first female astronauts and astronauts of color. Among them was Sally Ride, the first American woman in space -- as Nichols said in an interview: “Sally called me to tell me that I was the way she had heard about the space program." The 87-year-old has remained a staunch advocate of the value of space exploration throughout her life.

It's never too early to teach your Mighty Girl that science is for everyone! For our top picks of science toys for this holiday season, visit our new blog post, "The Gift of Curiosity: Top 60 Science Toys for Mighty Girls" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=10528

For more science, math, programming, and engineering toys and kits for Mighty Girls, visit our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide at https://www.amightygirl.com/holiday-guide

For books to introduce children and teens to trailblazing women of science throughout history, check out the reading recommendations in our blog post, "60 Books to Inspire Science-Loving Mighty Girls," at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=13914

And, if your Mighty Girl loves to show off her love of science, you can find a variety of girl-empowering t-shirts, including science-themed ones, in our "Clothing" section at https://www.amightygirl.com/clothing

Facing History and Ourselves
12/04/2020

Facing History and Ourselves

Social studies teachers, 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️ if you’ll be at #ncss2020 this weekend! We’ll be there! Join us Saturday morning for a facilitated workshop, “Fostering Dialogue in Divisive Times with Current Events” and then later in the day for “Teaching in Times of Uncertainty” a conversation with Samantha Power moderated by Karen Murphy, our Director of International Strategy. See the full schedule and register if you haven’t already here: http://ow.ly/4hNm50CBcf0

Springfield Public Schools - Massachusetts
12/03/2020

Springfield Public Schools - Massachusetts

Mark your calendar! The Pride of Springfield- Sci Tech's Band will host its 14th Annual Winter Fest on Thursday, December 17th at 7pm on Zoom! Let's get excited for our students and join the concert. The link will be available then via https://scitechband.org/

Museum Hue _ Colorful. Cultured. Cool
12/03/2020

Museum Hue _ Colorful. Cultured. Cool

Join us and Museum Association of New York this Friday, Dec 4th at 12pm EST to discuss holistic approaches to mental health/well-being. Studio Museum in Harlem and Colored Girls Museum provide therapeutic techniques rooted in creative practices that foster healing. Registration is free and open to the public: https://nysmuseums.org/event-3968454

In The Thick
12/02/2020
In The Thick

In The Thick

Like countless schools, the sidewalk school, as it became known, had to go to virtual learning because of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of being hampered by the change, though, it has blossomed, hiring about 20 teachers — all asylum seekers themselves — to give classes via Zoom to Central American children in not only the camp, but at various shelters and apartments in other parts of Mexico via AP

Pandemic Takes Toll On Children's Mental Health
12/01/2020
Pandemic Takes Toll On Children's Mental Health

Pandemic Takes Toll On Children's Mental Health

Youth depression, anxiety and suicide attempts have been on the rise during the pandemic. School shutdowns keep kids from friends and therapists, leaving social growth up to parents in many cases.

CBC Indigenous
11/29/2020
CBC Indigenous

CBC Indigenous

Theresa O'Watch has seen a massive increase in students wanting to learn Nakoda.

CBC Indigenous
11/29/2020
CBC Indigenous

CBC Indigenous

"I was just appalled by it. When I saw it in writing with my own eyes I began to shake uncontrollably. I began to cry. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I was in complete shock," said Krista Macinnis.

CBC Indigenous
11/29/2020
CBC Indigenous

CBC Indigenous

"The exercise is just a couple of hours long. People are able to put their feet in our moccasins for that brief moment and reflect on generations and hundreds of years of history and what Indigenous people have gone through," said Tracy Cloud, a member of Metepenagiag First Nation.

A Mighty Girl
11/28/2020

A Mighty Girl

After accidentally drinking polluted tap water at age 12 during a trip to India, Kavita Shukla credits her grandmother's homebrewed spice tea with keeping her from getting sick. The middle schooler became intrigued by the idea that certain spices could have antibacterial properties and, upon returning home to Maryland, she started running experiments with spices, pond water, and produce. Now 32, Kavita has gone from being "this weird kid with rotting strawberries in my garage" to becoming the founder of a successful social enterprise dedicated to reducing the food spoilage that contributes to world hunger.

On average, 25% of harvested produce is lost to spoilage, wasting tremendous amounts of water and fuel in the process, so Kavita was excited by the potential of finding a way to cut down on such losses. She spent her high school years further experimenting with spices and eventually discovered a combination that could keep fruits and vegetables fresh two to four times longer than normal by inhibiting bacterial and fungal growth. By the time she was 17, Kavita had invested $1,500 that she had won at science fairs into a patent for her special spice-infused paper that she called FreshPaper.

As an undergraduate at Harvard, Kavita tried to set up her enterprise as a non-profit in order to get FreshPaper to those in need in developing countries but she says "that didn't go anywhere" after it failed to attract the interest of donors. Eventually, she and her company co-founder Swaroop Samant decided to manufacture a thousand sheets in her Kavita's kitchen and give out samples at a local farmers' market to see if there would be consumer interest in her invention. They made $600 in sales on their first day, and were greeted with crowds waiting to buy the unique paper every time they returned.

Since then, Kavita and Swaroop have founded FreshGlow, a social enterprise company which sells FreshPaper to those who can afford it and donates it to food banks to reach those who can’t. The company now sells to several major grocery store companies in the US, as well as to 35 countries around the world. For Kavita, the experience of turning her middle school invention into a growing social enterprise has been a thrilling one: “We went to the farmers' market because it was all we could access. It's so incredible, this power of putting innovation right in the hands of the end user.”

If you'd like to try out Kavita's invention to help extend the life of your produce, you can find a FreshPaper 2-Pack on Amazon at https://amzn.to/2Oqkt0e -- or a 4-Pack at https://amzn.to/32Dmrm7

She's also now added a version for extending the life of bread (https://amzn.to/33SzL55) and a new beeswax-based alternative to plastic wrap (https://amzn.to/3klP911)

For high-quality science toys and kits to encourage young scientists, visit our blog post, "Top Science Toys and Kits for Mighty Girls," at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=10528

And, for a few fun science sets to spark your Mighty Girl's interest in experimenting, check out the Yumology Sweets Lab for ages 4 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/yumology-sweet-lab), Magic Science for Wizards Only for ages 6 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/magic-science-for-wizards-only), Ooze Labs Chemistry Station for ages 8 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/ooze-labs), and the extensive Chemistry C3000 Kit for ages 12 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/chemistry-c3000-kit)

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Tomorrow 6pm for the Hampshire community...
Funding options for HC students: Grant Info Session This Thursday!!
Interested in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)? Consider taking the summer 2018 TESOL Teacher Training Institute. This is a 4-credit course that also offers a TESOL Certificate! Click the link below for more information! Hampshire College Summer Academic Programs